The Mettle of Vettel: Police Vet Prepares to Take over Park District

The next Executive Director of the Fargo Park District is a familiar face to many of us in the valley.
 
Fargo Police Lieutenant Joel Vettel is leaving the force after 19 years.

But his community service continues.

You’d think that law enforcement and parks and rec don’t really go together.

As Vettel prepares to transition from one to the other, he says the two jobs are more alike than you may think.
 
He’s a North Dakota Native, devoted husband and father of two and a proud NDSU graduate.
 
He’s proud that he was “given the opportunity to wrestle for the Bison.”
 
Joel Vettel is hanging up the badge after nearly two decades working with Fargo’s finest.
 
“Their dedication inspires me every day,” Vettel says, “and so I’m gonna miss that aspect of it.”
 
He started patrolling the streets, eventually becoming the face of the department to the media.

He built a life and career in Fargo, despite tempting opportunities like a job offer working for the Secret Service.
 
“My wife and I were newly married and thought that would be a wonderful opportunity for us,” explains Vettel, “but eventually we recognized what a special place Fargo was, and really we felt there was no better place to raise a family.”
 
Now, it’s time to move on and lead the Park District where he already served on the board for 12 years.
 
Joel Vettel will be only the eighth Park District Executive Director since 1910.

The number seven guy on the list says he can’t wait to see what Vettel brings to the role.
 
Outgoing Executive Director Roger Gress praises Vettel, satying, “I just think the city of Fargo will be so lucky to have somebody like that take the team.”
 
Gress says it’s time to retire after 20 years heading the district.
 
He adds, “Also comes a time where they just need a new shot in the arm, new blood, new ideas.”
 
Vettel shares some of those ideas, like pulling back the curtain on what the District is all about.
 
“I want to celebrate our successes,” Vettel explains. “We want to blow our whistle a little.”
 
Also, to bringing world-class events like Olympic trials to town.

He has experience helping organize everything from the Fargo Marathon to ESPN College Gameday visits.
 
“We want to make sure that we’re filling up those hotels, filling up those restaurants,” he says.
 
Vettel adds that he’ll follow the same core values at the Park District as he does at the Police Department, helping the people of the city he loves.
 
He says, “I think at the end of the day what it really comes down to, I’m gonna do something that I continually do each and every day, and that’s serve wonderful people.”
 
Vettel hopes to get started at his new gig in September.